In between, the library has hosted several other popular authors, including John Searles and Adriana Trigiani, a novelist who spent the first five years of her life in the Lehigh Valley.

Library director Jennifer Stocker said she's always been interested in bringing well-known authors to the library but it didn't happen too often until a Forks Township resident undertook the effort a few years ago.

"The opportunity for our patrons to connect with the authors in person really means a lot," Stocker said. "But it didn't really happen until (the resident's) friendship with some of these New York Times bestselling authors brought them to this area."

That resident is Ruth Calia Stives. She said she regularly attended author events when she lived in Monmouth County, New Jersey, and was disappointed to find few such events when she moved in 2006 to the Lehigh Valley.

She's made friends with some authors through attending readings over the years and connected with others online.

"I thought maybe I could be really bold and write to them and ask them if they would consider coming this way," Stives said.

Many authors have said yes. Other notable authors who spoke at the library in recent years include Caroline Leavitt and Wallace Stroby; author Megan Abbott is expected to come in October.

Each author has attracted a couple dozen attendees, with Bohjalian and Trigiani both bringing in more than 100.

Bohjalian's appearance was held at Lafayette College's Oechsle Hall, and the library has again booked that venue for Lamb's appearance at 7 p.m. Aug. 20. Lamb has written five New York Times bestsellers, including "She's Come Undone" and "I Know This Much is True," both of which also were Oprah Book Club selections. On sale at Lamb's Easton event will be his latest book, "We Are Water."